Beginning
in mid-April, students in Minneapolis Public Schools will be taking
state-mandated exams that are used for school accountability and
improvement. Teachers will use the results of these exams to target
their instruction, and to make sure that your child is learning.
Students will not be held back from going to the next grade level based
on their scores.

The results of these exams are very important
to your school, and will determine whether or not a school makes
adequate yearly progress under the federal No Child Left Behind Act. It
is important that your child attend school on the day of his or her
exam. Schools are also measured on student attendance.

Teachers
have been working with students throughout the year to prepare for
these important exams. The following are steps that families and
caregivers can take to help students do well:

Make sure your child is well rested and eats a good breakfast. Each school has a free breakfast program for all children.

Support your child's homework and ask questions to see if your child understands and retains the material.

Read to younger age children and encourage older children to read for 15-20 minutes per day at home.

Always ask your child what he or she has learned at school.

Discuss your child's learning with his or her teacher(s).

Students
in grades 3-5 will take the math exam April 18-19, and the reading exam
April 25-26. Grades 6-8 will take the reading exam April 25-26 and the
math exam May 2-3. Students in grades 10-11 will take the reading and
math exams April 25-26. English Language Learners, or students who have
exited the ELL program this year, may be tested at different times.
Please contact your child's school to find out when your child will be
tested. Further information about the district's testing calendar can
be found on our web site, http://www.mpls.k12.mn.us.

Thank you for supporting Seward and for trusting us to prepare your child for their future.